01/2006 –

A fine flagship

Elegant lines, a convenient deck plan and high-quality fittings are
what make the latest addition to the Pilot Saloon range irresistible.

At the Cannes Boat Show in 2005, visitors had the chance to visit the
largest of the Wauquiez Pilot Saloons, an elegant and eye-catching
cruising boat designed by Berret / Racoupeau Yacht Design. The slightly
sheered deck makes for a slim silhouette, highlighted by a bulwark
covered in solid teak, with stainless steel fairleads specially
designed for Wauquiez. The three louvers that protect the opening
portholes make the coachroof's large, side windows more discreet. The
teak side decks and stainless steel and polished aluminium fittings on
the Pilot Saloon 47 are also a success.

Above deck

Since 1965, Henry Wauquiez's philosophy has been "to make each new
sailing boat an example of excellence, both in terms of marine
qualities and performance and in terms of elegance and finishings". For
the Pilot Saloon, the objective was to design a cruising boat that
combines high sailing performance with on-board comfort. The shipyard,
located in the north of France, thus opted for a 9/10 rig without
running backstays. The mainsail traveller runs to the aft arch above
the cockpit and, like the genoa sheets, is adjusted through winches
located next to the two helm stations. To facilitate manoeuvres and
reduce the number of forward sails, the genoa overlap is limited to
120%, giving more power to the mainsail and the furling staysail.
Thanks to these adjustments, the Pilot Saloon 47 behaves like a
high-performance long-distance sailing boat, and is easy to manoeuvre,
as confirmed by the first sea trials on May 12th 2005 off the coast of
Nieuwpoort.

Life on board

For maximum comfort, the coachroof is spacious and offers a panoramic
view, even when seated. In cooperation with Couedel and Hugon Design,
Wauquiez has developed a range of functional, attractive fittings, with
the predominant use of teak. There is plenty of storage space, ideal
for long-haul trips. The large saloon is all on one level and has a
ceiling height of 2 meters. The galley is situated to port and on a
slightly lower level. The aft owner's cabin is spacious, with a
bathroom with separate shower. In the forward part of the boat, also
vast, there are two guest cabins. In the cockpit, there are two helm
stations on either side of the access to the rotating stern platform.
The table hides the raised roof of the aft cabin as well as an opening
hatch. The composite arch keeps the mainsail travellers clear of the
cockpit, and can be fitted with forward and aft biminis, and lighting
for the evenings.

The Pilot Saloon 47 is an elegant addition to a concept first seen in
its 40-foot predecessor. This family has been so successful that it now
has a 41-foot addition, presented in 2005 at the Paris Boat Show.

More details: www.wauquiez.com

See the Photo Gallery


– NG –